Red Bull Indianapolis GP Event & Ticket Info

The Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP weekend is jam-packed with activities, both at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and around the Indianapolis area.

From Aug. 27-29, all three classes of the MotoGP World Championship – MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc – practice, qualify and then race on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile road course at IMS.

Motorcycle riders, fans of events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and hardcore MotoGP fans enjoy the highest level of motorcycle racing on the most impressive race bikes in the world at the track and also check out the many cool scenes and events around town away from the track.

Here is a calendar of the great events and features of action at the Speedway and around Indianapolis during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend that make it a race unlike any other at IMS.

All events (except for the Lap of Champions) on Aug. 27-29 at IMS are free for Red Bull Indianapolis GP ticket holders that day.

Aug. 19-22: Schwantz School. 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz will conduct two sessions of his renowned motorcycle riding school, the Schwantz School, on Aug. 19-20 and Aug. 21-22 on the MotoGP circuit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

American Moto2 rookie Kenny Noyes plans to assist Schwantz during the school, learning the IMS circuit in preparation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP just one week later while teaching students world-class riding skills. schwantzschool.com

Aug. 27: Pit Walkabout. Fans can get an up-close look at the exotic prototype motorcycles raced in the MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc classes during the popular Red Bull Indianapolis GP Pit Walkabout, which takes place Friday morning, Aug. 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

Aug. 27: Riders for Health Auction. Fans can bid on a wide variety of motorcycle-related items during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP at the Riders for Health Charity Auction on Friday, Aug. 27 on the 6th Street Stage located in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield. Riders from a variety of series also participate in fan question-and-answer sessions during the auction.

All proceeds benefit Riders for Health, an international non-profit organization that provides medical care to rural African villages using motorcycles and motorcycle ambulances. riders.org/us/default.aspx

Aug. 27: Cycle World Seminar. Editors and writers from Cycle World magazine will play host to a seminar with some of the top riders and figures from the motorcycle industry on the 6th Street Stage in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27 during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

The seminar is open to fans, who can ask questions of the guest lineup, which will include 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz, American Moto2 riders Kenny Noyes and Roger Lee Hayden, and more. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

The 125cc machines will take to the 2.621-mile circuit at 12:40 p.m., followed by Moto2 at 1:55 p.m. and the superstars of MotoGP at 3:10 p.m. Talented young riders from across North America also will be on track on 250cc machines in the USGPRU support class. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

Aug. 27: GEICO AMA EnduroCross. The 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross series will race at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 at the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. EnduroCross is a mixture of Supercross and enduro-style racing, with smooth track sections, jumps and obstacles such as logs, boulders, sand, water and special obstacles. endurocross.com/

Aug. 27-28: XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship. This high-energy, high-thrill motorcycle stunt event takes place in the afternoon and evening of Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis.

XDL is the “MotoGP” of the sportbike freestyle scene and features the best riders from the United States, Japan, France and Russia. The competitions feature non-stop thrills and spills as the athletes unveil the latest tricks in an action-packed format. xdlshow.com/

Aug. 27-28: Motorcycles on Meridian. From 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28, South Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis will be filled with the sound of engine roars and the sight of leather-clad riders. Motorcyclists will gather on Meridian all the way from Monument Circle to South Street to share interests and celebrate the Red Bull Indianapolis GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The inaugural Motorcycles on Meridian took place in 2008. The streets of downtown Indianapolis were an ocean of bikes and people, moving in waves. The event is for people with and without bikes. Interested parties with no steel horse of their own are welcome to walk around at this free event and marvel at the impressive choppers and sport bikes. On these two nights in August, the motorcycle culture of Indianapolis is open for everyone to enjoy.

Aug. 27-29: Ducati Island. One of the most popular fan attractions at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Ducati Island is a celebration of all things Ducati. The Italian manufacturer features a large display inside Turn 1 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including current and historic Ducati machines, custom Ducati bikes, Ducati apparel and accessories, entertainment, fan giveaways, entertainment, fashion shows and the always popular Ducati Girls.

Ducati riders from a variety of series sign autographs, and there are a variety of special perks for Ducati owners, including gear check, special parking and more. ducati.com/od/ducatinorthamerica/en/events/index.jhtml

Aug. 27-29: Manufacturer Displays. Major motorcycle manufacturers, including BMW, Honda, KTM and Yamaha, display their latest products under large, colorful tents in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway infield for fans to see and touch during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

Manufacturer representatives also are available to answer questions from fans interested in putting one of the beautiful new machines in their garage. Motorcycle accessory and equipment companies, such as Bridgestone and Dunlop, also offer displays. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

Aug. 27-29: Vendor Marketplace. Motorcycle enthusiasts can see and purchase gear from top motorcycle equipment and accessory companies at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP Vendor Marketplace, as the popular display area for aftermarket products returns for a third year.

The Vendor Marketplace also will feature the largest selection of motorcycle apparel anywhere. The Vendor Marketplace will be open in the Gasoline Alley garages at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the entire Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Friday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 29. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

Aug. 27-29: Grid Girls. Gorgeous women are a longtime hallmark of MotoGP events. Whether it’s beautiful girls dressed in team colors on the grid before the race or models at Ducati Island, there are plenty of pretty sights everywhere at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

Aug. 28: Red Bull Indianapolis GP Practice, Qualifying. World Championship machinery will be on track for more than five hours Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc riders participate in practice in the morning and qualifying in the afternoon.

125cc practice starts the day from 9-9:40 a.m., followed by practice sessions for MotoGP from 9:55-10:55 a.m. and Moto2 from 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

The starting grids for Sunday’s races will be set in three exciting, one-hour qualifying sessions Saturday afternoon, each featuring all riders in each class turning unlimited numbers of laps in great action against each other and the clock. The 125cc machines will take to the 2.621-mile circuit at 12:40 p.m., followed by Moto2 at 1:55 p.m. and the superstars of MotoGP at 3:10 p.m.

Talented young riders from across North America also will be on track on 250cc machines in the USGPRU support class. indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/

Aug. 28: Ride for Kids ‘Lap of Champions’. Motorcycle enthusiasts who register for this charity event can ride around the MotoGP circuit at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 28, led by 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz.

This great ride benefits the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, supported by Ride for Kids. A variety of support levels are available for the Lap of Champions, with some levels including tickets for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. pbtfus.org/rideforkids/lap-of-champions/2010-lap-of-champions.html

Aug. 28: AMA Flat Track Racing. The Lucas Oil Legendary Indy Mile Grand National AMA Flat Track race is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Heat races start at 7:30 p.m., followed by the main event.

Glorious memories of the Indy Mile go back for decades. Top riders always have coveted a win at this race, long considered the “Crown Jewel” of AMA Pro Racing’s oldest and most tradition-rich professional racing series, the Flat Track Grand National series.

After a hiatus that began in 1999, the race returned to the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 2008 to record-breaking crowds. In 2009, a near-capacity crowd again returned to witness another night of sliding, drafting, handlebar-to-handlebar duels, with 140-mph straightaway speeds and inches-close finishes.

As a special treat in 2009, motorcycle racing legend “King” Kenny Roberts electrified the crowd with a no-holds barred, high-revving, three-lap curtain call on the infamous Yamaha TZ-750 he rode to victory in 1975. familyevents.com/event/37

Aug. 29: Red Bull Indianapolis GP Race Day. The best riders in the world will push their machines to the limit nearly all day on Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with warm-up sessions in the morning and races in the afternoon for all three World Championship classes.

Warm-up sessions will take place at 9:40 a.m. for 125cc, 10:10 a.m. for Moto2 and 10:40 a.m. for MotoGP. Racing for glory and World Championship points will start with a 23-lap 125cc event at noon and follow with a 26-lap event at 1:15 p.m. for Moto2, featuring Americans Kenny Noyes and Roger Lee Hayden. The world’s best riders, including Americans Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards and Ben Spies, will compete in the 28-lap MotoGP race at 3 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets for the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP are on sale now. A new structure offers additional value and flexibility to fans attending the annual MotoGP event.

Among the highlights of the new ticket structure are lower prices and single-day reserved and general admission tickets for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 29.

Fans can order tickets online at www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street.

Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.

General admission MotoGP tickets provide access to the grounds and to the viewing mounds along the infield section of the circuit, which provide excellent angles to see the greatest riders in the world.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.

Plenty of motorcycle parking is available on the paved backstretch of the famous IMS oval, and IMS once again will provide multiple gear check locations for Red Bull Indianapolis GP fans to check helmets, leathers and any other motorcycle gear at the track.

Fans can place any gear in plastic bags to be securely stored and picked up upon exiting the facility for the day, and a gear check location in the Vendor Marketplace will allow fans to store any large purchases made during the day. The gear check service is free and available all three days of the event.